Mark Yoshida Fellowship

We are looking for a Legal Fellow to join our team in Los Angeles and/or Orange County! 

WHO WE ARE

We are the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Our mission is to advocate for civil rights, provide legal services and education, and build coalitions to positively influence and impact Asian Pacific Americans and to create a more equitable and harmonious society. We serve more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year, focusing on the most vulnerable members of Asian American and PI communities while also building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, and serve our communities all across the country

WHAT WE BRING

• The special opportunity to join a mission driven team
• Flexible, hybrid work schedules
• Rich medical, dental and vision benefits
• Retirement options through 403B and match

WHO YOU ARE

You share our mission of advocacy for Asian Pacific Americans. You enjoy the thrill of serving the public interest while championing civil rights and social justice. You take pride in your work enriching lives and communities in Los Angeles and across the country. You are looking for your next role in an organization that supports your career as much as you support the organization and its goals. You are looking for a job where you make a difference, and your impact is directly proportional to your contribution. You are a game changer. You are a leader. You are an advocate.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Enrolled in final year of an ABA accredited Juris Doctorate program 
• Previous experience with legal research and writing as demonstrated by work history or course work history or a demonstrated desire to learn as outlined in the application materials. 
• Experience assisting immigrant, limited English speaking and/or low-income clients 
• Experience or familiarity with AAPI community preferred  
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients 
• Bilingual fluency in an AAPI language strongly preferred 
• Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently 
• Availability and willingness to regularly travel within the county and state 
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends  
• Access to reliable means of transportation required 

For those interested in applying to the Fellowship, please submit a Paycom application, which includes a copy of your resume, two letters of recommendation, and your essay responses to three questions: 

• Why do you want to join AJSOCAL? (750 words max)
• Why do you think our country needs public interest attorneys who specialize in immigration law? (750 words max) 
• Is there anything else you would like to mention that is not already included in your application? (500 words max) 

ABOUT THE ROLE

Named for our legacy advocate, the Mark Yoshida Fellowship offers collaborative and intuitive law students an opportunity to begin their legal career in a service-first, community minded environment. Fellows will work under the direction of the Immigration Project Director on cases and key projects that positively impact AAPI immigrants and the larger AAPI community, developing key direct legal services and client counseling skills. Each fellowship project is thoughtfully curated, based on current community needs. The fellowship is also designed to provide public-interest law students with an opportunity to build a network of AAPI legal and social justice advocates. Fellows can gain practical experience in working with national partners, Advancing Justice affiliates, pro bono contributors, and CBOs.  ​ 

​Fellows will complete a 2-year fellowship, receive competitive stipend, and work 40 hours a week. Schedule will be hybrid, with the fellow expected to work in AJSOCAL’s LA or OC office 3 days per week. Fellows will be expected to conduct research and write publishable materials as well as participate in on-going advocacy efforts. Additional benefits include professional development funds, travel support, and bar preparation support. 

Your day-to-day typically includes: 

75% Client support and representation for various types of immigration cases 

• Provide consults in complex immigration cases filed affirmatively before US Citizenship and Immigration Services field offices and Asylum offices 
• Assist with Immigration defense litigation, carrying an individual caseload 
• Provide consults for removal defense at the Executive Office for Immigration Review 
• Prepare court forms, immigration applications and other documents on behalf of clients 
• Maintain an active caseload to meet project deliverables 
• Undertake administrative and logistical duties related to direct service assistance 

15% Community Outreach & Education 

• Help develop and execute community outreach strategies for the Immigration Services Program, including how to inform appropriate responses to community needs and requests 
• Conduct outreach engagements with local community-based organizations and adult education centers to present information sessions on Naturalization and Immigration law 

10% Immigration & Citizenship Legal Clinic Support 

• Provide consults, legal support and review at weekly clinics at onsite and remote locations 
• Help train and oversee work of volunteers at workshops and clinics 
• Work closely with the Immigration Director to help plan and strategize culturally competent service models to address relevant immigration needs 
• Aid in operational elements of clinic including preparation, setup, and break down 
• Other duties as assigned 

At AJSOCAL, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. AJSOCAL strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or other covered persons, including interns.